McIlroy keen to build on invaluable experience

Published on Monday 23 July 2007 00:05

RORY McIlroy is hoping that his impressive Open Championship debut is the start of something big.

The 18-year-old Northern Irishman lay third after the first round and finished five over par for the tournament at Carnoustie. He won the Silver Medal for top amateur, but missed out on his goal of a top-10 finish to secure a spot at next year's Open.

"If I can progress over the next few years, keep improving, I certainly think I can be contending for an Open in the future," he said. "I think I'm getting better all the time. I think it's been a great performance at my first major, first Open Championship, and I can go onto bigger and better things."

McIlroy revealed he picked up much about how to play an Open from Miguel Angel Jimenez. He was paired with the veteran Spaniard for the first two rounds and the youngster leaves Scotland with invaluable experience.

"You don't have to do extraordinary things to do well out there," he revealed. "You have to just play solid golf, hit fairways, hit greens, take your chances when they come and play for pars on difficult holes.

"That's what I learned, especially playing with Jimenez this week. He knew when he could go for things and he knew when he couldn't and when he couldn't he hit the greens, took his two putts and got out of there. He came to the easier holes and took his chances there."

McIlroy now leaves for a ten-day holiday in Dubai before returning to make plans for playing in the Walker Cup and then turning professional in September.